“It’s an opportunity to showcase really why it is we enjoy this very treasured status – and take it seriously – of being the first-in-the-nation caucus state,” said Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn

The event is a Republican fundraiser. The straw poll’s results have no official part in the presidential nominating process. It has been criticized as “pay to play,” since campaigns must pay the party to rent tent space on the straw poll grounds,and attendees must pay $30 for tickets. Campaigns buy and give away hundreds of tickets in hopes it will encourage votes for their candidate.

Nonetheless, the straw poll has come to be seen as an important early test of a candidate’s ability to organize in Iowa, the state that holds the first-in-the-nation caucuses, now scheduled for Feb. 6.

In 1999, for example, then Texas governor George W. Bush won the event before going on to win the Iowa caucuses, the party’s nomination and ultimately the presidency. In 2007, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee – who at the time was one of the lesser-known candidates – landed in a strong and surprising second place. That helped set the stage for his Iowa caucuses win. (Huckabee ultimately lost the party’s nomination to Arizona Sen. John McCain.)

Nine candidates’ names are on today’s ballot. They are:

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota

Businessman Herman Cain

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman

U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter of Michigan

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum

Three candidates on the ballot – Romney, Huntsman and Gingrich – essentially are not competing in the event, skipping the minimum $15,000 necessary to purchase tent space. Huntsman and Romney – the front-runner in most national polls – aren’t expected to attend.

For the first time in the event’s history, attendees can write in a candidate’s name. It paves the way for supporters of yet-to-announce candidates like Texas Gov. Rick Perry to have an influence on today’s events.

Perry is expected to announce his candidacy for president today in South Carolina. Dozens of supporters associated with a group known as “Americans for Rick Perry” are expected to be at the straw poll today, urging people to write in his name.

The event starts at 9 a.m. Voting begins at 10 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m. Results are expected to be released during a ceremony around 6 p.m. Strawn, Gov. Terry Branstad, Iowa’s Republican congressmen and the candidates are expected to speak during a program that begins at 12:15 p.m.

Campaigns use entertainment to help attract attention and support to their tents. Country singer Randy Travis is expected to perform at Bachmann’s tent, for example, while Santorum and his family will hand out samples of their homemade peach jam.

Stay tuned to DesMoinesRegister.com for continuous updates throughout the day.

More information:

Location:1700 Lincoln Way in Ames

Description: (As described by the Republican Party of Iowa)The Iowa Straw Poll is simply a presidential poll taken by Iowa Republicans. The Straw Poll has become a huge event, normally held in Ames. There are many “straw polls” around the country, but the Iowa GOP Ames Straw Poll is THE straw poll. In fact, the Ames Straw Poll has become one of the most popular Republican political events in Presidential election cycles.

Started in 1979 and held in the early fall the year before the caucus in contested presidential cycles, the Straw Poll serves as a first indicator of the strength of a candidate’s organization and message. Though the Straw Poll results have no official or legal effect, nearly a thousand media outlets are expected to attend and tens of thousands of Iowans participate. With all the activity during the day, some folks say the Iowa Straw Poll is like the Iowa State Fair – but better because politics is involved.

In order to vote in the Iowa Straw Poll, one must be at least 18 years of age on or before November 2012 and a resident of the state of Iowa. The Iowa Straw Poll is a Republican event – the Democrat Party does not organize a straw poll.